Kit containing colored plant culture medium

Abstract

A sterilized plant culture medium comprising a dye in an amount which imparts a visible color to the culture medium and which permits seed germination is provided which is useful for attracting children, for observing and studying seed germination, root and shoot formation and whole plant development, and for color-coding plant cultures.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A kit for germinating a plant seed, comprising: (a) a sterilized culture container;   (b) a sterilized culture medium comprising a dye in a concentration which imparts a visible color to the culture medium and which permits seed germination, wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 3, and mixtures thereof and wherein the concentration of the dye is about 5 μl to about 10 μl of a 2.5% (w/v) dye stock solution per 1 liter of medium; and   (c) one or more surface-sterilized plant seeds.   
     
     
       2. The kit of claim 1 in which the concentration of dye is 5 μl of a 2.5% (w/v) dye stock solution per 1 liter of culture medium. 
     
     
       3. The kit of claim 1, in which the sterilized culture medium further comprises a gelling agent. 
     
     
       4. The kit of claim 1, in which the plant seed is selected from a species that produces edible vegetables. 
     
     
       5. The kit of claim 1, in which the plant seed is selected from a species that produces edible fruits or edible seeds. 
     
     
       6. The kit of claim 1, in which the plant seed is selected from a species that produces trees or shrubs. 
     
     
       7. The kit of claim 1, in which the plant seed is selected from an herbaceous species. 
     
     
       8. The kit of claim 1, in which the plaint seed is selected from a species that produces flowers. 
     
     
       9. The kit of claim 1, in which the plaint seed is from Douglas fir. 
     
     
       10. The kit of claim 1, in which the plant seed is selected from the group consisting of pepper, tomato, eggplant, apple, pear, papaya, bean, pea, watermelon, cucumber, pomegranate, orange, lemon, coffee and kiwi.